Author Archives: Science Media Centre
expert reaction to the earthquake in Haiti
The magnitude 7 quake devastated large parts of the island; estimates of the number of dead are in the many thousands, with many more made homeless. read more
expert reaction to research linking television viewing to increased mortality to be published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association
The research draws an association between time spent sitting in front of the television and the risk of heart disease. read more
experts respond to the redundancy of Susan Greenfield at the Royal Institution
After twelve years as Director, Susan Greenfield has been made redundant from her role at the Royal Institution, as it was decided that the position of Director was no longer affordable. read more
House of Lords Report on Nanotechnology and Food
The SMC hosted members of the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee for this briefing on the use of nanotechnology in the food industry, how these technologies are likely to develop and whether, and where, regulation might be necessary. The briefing launches the Committee’s report on the issue. read more
new research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Following on from a recent paper published in Science, which purported to show a link between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and a particular virus, researchers at Imperial College London analysed blood samples from 186 CFS patients and found that none carried the virus, casting doubt on the previous findings. The new findings are published in the journal PLoS One. read more
be mindful: meditation for depression – new report from the Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation has published a new report on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), a relatively new therapy which has been proven to cut relapse rates for those who experience more than two episodes of depression, and has been recommended for recurrent depression by NICE since 2004. However, access for GPs and their patients remains low. The authors of the report came to the SMC to talk about what MBCT involves, its benefits and evidence base, and how to make it more easily available. read more
Science and the Media Expert Group report: Securing the Future
Fiona Fox chaired the Science and the Media Expert Group, tasked by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) … read more
launch of consultation on the ethics of new biofuels
In the aftermath of the Copenhagen climate change summit, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics has launched a public consultation on the potential of new types of biofuels, such as fuel produced by algae, to provide us with a greener and more ethical source of renewable energy. The SMC hosted this briefing in advance of the official launch to brief journalists on the consultation and the issues involved. read more
scientists comment on COP15 closing statements
On the final official day of climate negotiations in Copenhagen, scientists offer their thoughts on the outcome and the agreements reached. read more
scientists react to STFC funding announcement
The Science and Technology Facilities Council today announced a review of funding priorities in UK science, which includes cuts to funding to key areas including particle physics. An array of physicists responded. read more
expert reaction to report on climate change by European Foundation stating that global warming is natural
The report, by the eurosceptic political campaign organisation the European Foundation, offered ‘100 reasons’ why anthropogenic climate change is a myth – very few, if any, of them based on sound science. read more
David Nutt comments on ‘Principles on scientific advice to Government’
Following the furore over his sacking from the government’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), Prof David Nutt offers his thoughts on the government’s ‘Principles of scientific advice to Government’, which sets out revised principles on the provision of independent scientific advice to government. read more
BPS: A Blueprint for Safer Prescribing
The SMC hosted this British Pharmacological Society (BPS) briefing on prescribing errors made by newly-qualified doctors in the NHS, and how to promote safer medicine use. read more
expert reaction to new research into sex differentiation in mice, as published in Cell
This study identified a single gene responsible for maintaining ovary development during sex differentiation in mice, improving current understanding of how genetic factors influence sexual development. read more
expert reaction to the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) Climate Change Index
The International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) is a research programme based at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences which looks at the science of global change. In the week of the Copenhagen climate talks, the IGBP published its Climate Change Index, integrating data on various indicators of climate change, including CO2 levels, temperature and sea level and how they are changing. read more
expert reaction to study on efficacy of Tamiflu as published in the BMJ
A systematic review of studies of the efficacy of antiviral drugs used to treat influenza has found only modest benefits in their use, raising questions over public health policy regarding their use in the current flu pandemic. read more
expert reaction to today’s statements by the World Meteorological Organisation and the UK Met Office
With crucial climate talks in Copenhagen under way, the WMO and Met Office have released data showing that the previous decade was the warmest year on record. read more
expert reaction to the Committee on Climate Change UK Aviation Report
The UK government’s Committee on Climate Change has published its report on aviation in the UK, including forecasts for growth in the aviation sector and the implications of this for the UK’s emissions reduction strategy. read more
experts comment on new research into the risk of blood clots after surgery in middle-aged women, as published in the BMJ
The study found that the risk of developing a blood clot after surgery is higher than previously thought, and remains high for up to three months. read more
prescribing errors – is it safe to let junior doctors prescribe drugs?
Research commissioned by the General Medical Council has explored the causes of prescribing errors made by first year foundation trainee (FY1) doctors, following on from much speculation and media attention over error rates and the impact on patient safety. The research focuses on the interplay between doctors’ educational backgrounds and factors in their practice environments. Evidence-based recommendations have been made to improve patient safety, and experts in this area came to the SMC to discuss the research and its findings, and the recommendations for reducing prescriptions errors in hospitals. read more